JANUARY 14
MLK LEGACY Awards and Benefit Gala film producer and author DeVon Franklin is the keynote speaker at the annual SCLC-SC Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at 8 a.m. at historic Holman United Methodist Church, where Dr. King often spoke. The event is open to all faiths. Holman’s pastor emeritus, civil rights legend Rev. James Lawson, is expected to attend. Admission is $25 in advance, and $30 at the door. Visit www.SCLC-SC.org to purchase tickets.
JANUARY 15
Celebrating the Dream Luncheon, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Grand Hall, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets are $150 each (213) 622-2344. www.mlk-chf.org. The MLK Community Health Foundation joins civic, business and philanthropic leaders from Los Angeles, the State of California and the nation at a luncheon to applaud the accomplishments of the public-private partnership that has created the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH).
An original stage play, “Martin: Duty Calls,” will have its only Los Angeles performance at West Angeles Church of God in Christ free at 7 p.m. at 3045 Crenshaw Blvd. The play depicts the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., from the initial bus boycott in support of Rosa Parks in 1955 to his death in 1968. A post-event audience discussion of the challenges and successes, as well as the price of answering the call will take place immediately afterwards until 9 p.m. For information on the play, visit www.martindutycalls.com.
The city of Carson will feature a free tribute to Martin Luther King featuring music, dance, and historical recitations beginning at 6 p.m. at the Juanita Millender McDonald Center, 801 E. Carson St. For info: (310) 952-1775.
Gardena presents a free MLK celebration for youth beginning at 7 p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center, 1670 W. 162nd St. Speech recitations and more. (310) 217-9507.
JANUARY 16
Gardena celebrates the legacy of Dr. King during the city’s annual parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Van Ness Avenue and Marine, then traveling east on Van Ness to Rowley Park, 13200 Van Ness. Following the parade, vendors and entertainment will be featured. (310) 217-9507.
Children’s Book World will host a special story time in honor of King Day free at 10:30 a.m. Join celebrated storyteller Michael D. McCarty as he presents stories of African American culture that that will offer awareness and fun all in the same program. Located: 10580 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 559-2665.
Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), under the direction of composer and conductor, Charles Dickerson III, will perform at 7:30 p.m.in a free concert at Holman United Methodist Church: “A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” The ICYOLA consists of approximately 60 middle, high school and college students, primarily of African American descent.
Kidspace Children’s Museum hosts Cultural Diversity Days, Jan. 16-18 as part of its King Day celebration. The event’s mission is to continue Dr. King’s legacy of “breaking down walls of segregation” by honoring a variety of cultures with performances and activities. Call to find the specific day and time. Your youngster can join a Brazilian carnival procession, jump in a grape stomping pool, create Russian nesting dolls or decorate their arms with Indian henna, just to name a few of the fun activities. Located: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 449-9144. Cost: $11 per person; children age 1 and younger free.
Celebration. The 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Unity Parade will kick off at 10:30am at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. The celebration continues from 12-6 p.m. where people will gather together for an afternoon of live music and entertainment. Free. For information, call (562) 570-4405 or visit www.longbeach.gov.
January 17
In honor of Dr. King’s calling as a minister, as well as his embracing and generating interfaith alliances, the SCLC-SC is asking all religions, denominations and creeds to recognize the civil rights leader in their respective services held during Friday, Jan. 15-17.
27th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Unity Parade, begins at 10:30 a.m. in Long Beach, beginning at Martin Luther King Avenue and Anaheim Street then traveling north on King and east to 19th Street, ending at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave., Contact: (562) 570-4405.
The Barnsdall Art Park Foundation hosts free family art workshops nearly every Sunday. Today at from 10 a.m.-noon, the family can make MLK Day “I Have a Dream” posters. All materials are provided free.
January 18
Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California (SCLC-SC) will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards and benefit gala in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles. The receptions begins at 5 p.m. and dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets Are $200 and should be purchased in advance. This year’s King Legacy Awards recipients reflect excellence in promoting equality and justice in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said honorary chairperson Matthew M. Johnson, Esq., president of the LA Police Commission and managing partner of Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Hosted by actor William Allen Young of the CBS drama, “Code Black,” the theme of the evening is ‘Bending the Arc and Breaking Barriers.” The 2016 award honorees are: Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences; DeVon Franklin, best-selling author and president/CEO of Sony Studios-based Franklin Entertainment; Ken Maxey, Comcast director of External Affairs, California Region; and Charisse Bremond Weaver, president/CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade. For more information regarding the SCLC-SC King Legacy Week Festival and the SCLC-SC King Legacy gala, contact SCLCadmin@sclc-sc.org or call the SCLC-SC information line: (213) 268-3082.
The city of Inglewood hosts a free King Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Faithful Central Bible Church, 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave. The event includes radio promotions, an arts and craft fair as well as the 33rd annual King parade (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) The parade starts at the church, travels east on Manchester Avenue then south on Prairie Avenue to the forum.
Celebration. Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, (District 3), will be the keynote speaker at a birthday celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 9am at the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. Free. For information, call (310) 875-4198.
Parade. The 31st annual Kingdom Day Parade from 11 a.m.-1p.m starts at Martin Luther King Boulevard at Western Avenue proceeds west to Crenshaw Boulevard then South to Vernon Avenue (at Leimert Park). The parade will include inspirational floats, marching bands, and special guest celebrities.
Celebration. The California African American Museum will host a special commemoration for Martin Luther King from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Exposition Park, 600 State Dr., Los Angeles. Expect face painting, arts and crafts, documentaries and even a birthday cake. For information, call (213) 744-7432 or visit www.caamuseum.org.
Parade and Celebration. The City of Inglewood will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and celebration beginning at 9 a.m. with a commemorative program at The Tabernacle, 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave. Under the banner “Dream with a Vision. Live with a Purpose,” the King Day event will feature performances by local choirs and community groups, as well as participation from elected officials and special guests. KJLH radio personality Kevin Nash will serve as the master of ceremonies, and Olympic track Gold Medalist Althea Moses and actress Laya Haynes, voice of Disney’s “Doc” McStuffins, will serve as grand marshal. For information, call (310) 412-8750 or visit the city’s website at www.cityofinglewood.org. The parade starts at Eucalyptu Avenue and Florence Avenue to Manchester Avenue, south to Prairie Avenue and South to the Forum.
Kiddie City in Leimert Park at 3818 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, will celebrate Dr. King with free play and an opportunity for your little dreamers to leave their handprints on the “I Have a Dream” wall and write down their own dreams (parents can help out with this part). On Jan. 18, the wall will be unveiled and from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the play space will offer MLK circle time with stories and songs about the man himself and arts and crafts.
January 19
MLK Community Roundtable Discussion, Cathedral Center of St. Paul (Great Hall), 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 482-2040, www.lacrl.org.
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) will host a free day from 3-8 p.m. The museum will offer bilingual tours, a family sketching activity and live music and performance by the California Feetwarmers and the California Feetwarmers Dancers, a local performance group influenced by the flavor and diversity of New Orleanse. Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd.
The Pasadena MLK Community Coalition will host five events including poetry readings, essay and art presentations, a day of community service and church events followed by the annual MLK Day Celebration. The festival at Jackie Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fairoaks Ave., will include guest speakers, food, arts and crafts and helpful, wholesome fun. For information, visit info@pasadenamlk.com.
King Day is also known as a day of service. If you want to get the family into that spirit, L.A. Works provides a great opportunity with its annual Day of Service event otherwise known as “A day on, not a day off.” Join more than a thousand community and corporate volunteers to help revitalize Woodcrest Elementary School (1151 W. 109th St.) in South Los Angeles from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be opportunities to revitalize school murals, paint school buildings and good old-fashioned weeding and landscaping.
Catch the exhibition “A Path Appears: Actions for a Better World” showing through Feb. 21 at the Skirball Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. The program was inspired by the bestselling book “A Path Appears” and is a gallery exhibition including photos and storytelling that explore the pressing issues of education, health, good jobs and empowerment. Step into the space and learn about the humanitarian groups that are already working to tackles these issues.
